Customs and immigration covers a range of border control procedures (referred to as 'immigration' in most countries other than US) and import of goods.
6
votes
1answer
5k views
Can I take both a laptop and a tablet in my carry-on bag when going to india?
I am planning to travel to India (COK airport, Kerala) from United States. I want to take my laptop as well as my tablet (iPad). Am I allowed to take both in my backpack with my documents related my ...
47
votes
15answers
14k views
Why would you wrap your luggage in plastic?
At many airports you can wrap your luggage with sheets of sticky plastic. Why on earth would you do that? I only see disadvantages. I can imagine the mess when customs ask you to open your luggage. So ...
16
votes
5answers
5k views
What is the minimum time to consider with a connecting flight in the USA?
Given the extensive time taken for immigration formalities in the US, what is the shortest time to consider between connecting flights in the US, when coming from abroad?
Until now I have always ...
18
votes
1answer
881 views
How can I travel to Germany with my dog?
I will be traveling to Germany (from the USA) in a few months and hope to bring my dog, a 10 lb Chihuahua-mix. I would like to do this with a minimum of difficulty, so I am hoping to hear the ...
2
votes
1answer
353 views
How to calculate stays against 90/180 visa rules?
Some destinations have a "90/180 rule" which says you can come and go but you must not spend over 90 days out of any 180 days in the area. A recent question asked by a new contributor concerns this ...
27
votes
6answers
3k views
What can I do to prevent passport stamps being put on blank pages?
I'm running low on blank passport pages which are sometimes needed for full page visas such as those issued by Armenia, India, and Vietnam.
When I crossed the border into Turkey the other day I got ...
11
votes
1answer
814 views
Is it really forbidden to cross the Indian border with Indian rupee?
Last week I tried to exchange some Swiss Francs into Indian rupees. For that I visited a big bank and they told me that they have rupees but I'm not allowed to import any into India. Is this really ...
8
votes
1answer
825 views
Is it possible to travel to Cuba by sea (from e.g. Mexico)?
When I was reading about Cuba around the time I visited there (2008), I got the impression that the only way in is by air.
Now, as of 2012, is this (still) the case? Or are there any cruises, ...
14
votes
2answers
465 views
What to expect at Chinese customs when bringing in items for friends who live there?
I am taking a trip to Shanghai next week to see some friends. They have requested that I bring a few items with me to give to them that are difficult (or expensive) for them to obtain where they ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Schengen visa rejection
Please help me on this.
I got a multiple entry Schengen visa from 5-3-2011 to 5-9-2011 (valid for 6 months) last year during which I stayed for 42 days out of the allocated 90 days.
I again applied ...
15
votes
3answers
432 views
Declaring illegal substances at customs - what would happen?
I've always wondered this. Occasionally I declare medicines, or wood carvings or whatever when going through customs. The point of asking you to declare these things is so that they can inspect and ...
10
votes
3answers
394 views
Can I bring my desktop computer as check-in baggage on a flight?
I am moving from Malaysia to the US, and planning to bring my desktop computer with me. I plan to pack it in my checked-in luggage. Will the computer risk being damaged? Any precaution should I take ...
14
votes
1answer
518 views
Couldn't return papers to border officials last time. Should I be afraid when going back to USA?
Three years ago I was on holidays in Canada and visited the Niagara Falls. I also went to the American side of the falls and got something like a "short-term visa". I also got a green paper with all ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
Can I take chocolate to Australia?
Australia is well known for having very strict rules on what food and plant-based materials can be brought into the country, to try to keep the country free of diseases. Some food/animal/plant things ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
One-way tickets into the US and Canada?
So I have a series of weird flights I can use to get to Bangkok from London with a stop in Vancouver, where it may actually be cheaper for me to fly to Vancouver, bus down to LA/San Fran, and then fly ...
14
votes
2answers
424 views
What questions should I be able to answer when entering USA?
Last time I entered USA, the border officer asked me a lot of questions. Some of them were quite personal and others were about my destination in the USA. For example he asked my where I would stay. I ...
11
votes
1answer
2k views
What happens if you arrive in Malaysia with a one-way ticket but are asked for proof of onward travel?
As we know, most countries require that visitors have a return or onward ticket as a condition of entry.
But often, depending on where you're from and which country you're visiting, you won't be ...
10
votes
5answers
2k views
Dual nationality, EU and Australian. Does it matter which passport is “travelled on”
I plan to visit Australia from the UK, I am an Australian national with dual nationality - I also hold a Greek passport. I have all the correct documentation and everything is fine.
However, if I ...
9
votes
1answer
256 views
Are US citizens legally required to provide a current address on a US customs declaration?
When returning to the USA, US citizens are required to fill out a written customs declaration. This form has space for a "Street Address". See a sample form here: ...
8
votes
1answer
140 views
Extending an expiring I-94W, land based entry to US
I live in Canada with a German passport and a student visa. From a recent climbing trip to the US I still have this green I94-W form in my passport. I didn't surrender it on leaving the US back to ...
8
votes
1answer
149 views
How are customs duties handled by the Fedex “Baggage Free” service?
Fedex offers a baggage free traveler's service. It purports to ship your belongings to your destination rather than taking them on your person.
This raises a question:
How are customs ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
How does customs work if my layover is in a third country?
I want to fly from the US to Israel and am looking at a flight with a layover in Canada (PIT -> YYZ -> TLV). How does customs work on such a multi-country trip? Do I have to go through the process ...
8
votes
1answer
148 views
Is it really permitted for travellers to work while visiting Georgia on a tourist visa?
Last night at a party with lots of expats and Georgians the topic came up that foreigners don't need any special visa or work permit to work in Georgia while they are visiting the country as tourists.
...
6
votes
1answer
813 views
Can I take two laptops to India from United States? One bought in India and one in US
I will be landing at New Delhi airport. The worth of new laptop (Lenovo Yoga Idea Pad 13) is about $1000 and old one (Macbook Pro) is > 1 lakh INR. I want to leave the new laptop in India. I have a ...
5
votes
3answers
531 views
What are the consequences of a US citizen overstaying a Schengen visa?
According to law, what are the consequences of a US citizen overstaying a Schengen visa?
In practice, how likely is one to be penalized for overstaying by a day, 10 days, and a month?
Are there ...
5
votes
3answers
345 views
Does Colombia require proof of onward travel?
I will be flying into Medellín within the next few weeks. I purchased a one-way ticket, as I will be flying to Asunción after I leave Colombia.
I'm not 100% sure which city I will be flying out of, ...
5
votes
1answer
540 views
Will I be able to enter South Korea as a tourist with a one-way ticket and no ticket home yet?
I've been to South Korea a few times already and always enjoy it but I've always had an onward ticket before.
Now I need to fly home from a trip that's lasted over a year, but I still want to take my ...
